Tonight was our #letsliftthecurfew run in partnership with This Girl Can, and we started the session by reflecting on the number of women and girls who feel like they have to change their exercise routines in the winter by talking about where we would run if we had complete freedom to do so. We had everything from Area 51 to the moon but it felt like most people just wanted to feel free to run along a beach if they could, possibly more due to this being our first group run since the clocks went back and it being a bit chilly ❄️

Pete set off first with a walking group before Rich and Max led out the runners with Vicky and Babs backmarking. There was enough time for a quick blast of tricep dips, press-ups and squats whilst we regrouped, before we arrived at task. We were greeted by taskowner Maeve who was on brand for the theme of the evening with her purple hair and jacket, which guaranteed her a slot in the group photo later on! 🟣

Tonight's task was to either turn over squares of soil or scarrify (no idea how to spell that) the ground ready for some wildflower seeds to be sown. With tools at a premium Vicky and Ed made a start encouraging people to sign the Lets Lift The Curfew banner with their thoughts on how running at night makes them feel. Thank you to everyone who shared their feelings

With enough ground ready for some seeds (or porridge oats) to be sown, Erin and Jenny took on chief spreading duties, with Erin displaying her remarkably impressive highland jig to help stamp the seeds down into the ground.

Once all the seeds had been scattered it was time for a group photo before Vicky led a fantastic Mexican wave fitness session 👋 with Rich's team claiming victory over Max's despite some very questionable interpretations of some of the exercises

It was then back to Priory Street but not before a 1km sprint down one of our new strava segments. Well done to Matt for laying down a considerable marker for everyone else to aspire to!

Remember, if anyone does ever feel nervous or unsafe running in the dark then just pop a message into our group WhatsApp chat. One thing we're not short of is people who are happy to head out for a run!

After a sunny but breezy parkrun at Heslington - a first for Jane and a chance to pick up bonus Goodgymer Kit and dog Echo - we met at the Tiny Forest for some maintenance.

Three bathtubs had originally been installed at the site to provide water for the trees and habitat for wildlife, but the saplings have been growing well without additional water and the ponds were in a sorry state. We therefore took out two of the tubs, filling in the remaining holes, and partially emptied the third so it could be refreshed with rainwater ready for pond plants to improve its condition. This involved some artful arrangement of rocks to allow the frog-in-residence a means of escape! We also raked the arisings from the meadow area to ensure the site will bloom again next year.

After all the hard work, we took time to enjoy coffee and cake while basking in the glory of the (no longer) tiny trees.

On a miserably wet evening our hardy Goodgymers’ spirit couldn’t be dampened.

We met and welcomed newcomer Katy and celebrated soooo many running achievements from the weekend. We also adorned Charlotte with the cape of good deeds for completing an amazing 100 deeds! You legend!

After naming and numbering off, whilst saying what our favourite item of clothing was, Claire set off with a walk/run group, Ed led the runners, and Vicky shot off ahead on her bike to make sure everything was ready.

We arrived in the Groves to be met by Tracy, who had sorted the newsletters into piles with laminated maps! Jen and Lucy were quick to volunteer for a digging task and everyone else got into threes to go and deliver the Groves newsletter in their allocated zones.

In what seemed like no time at all the groups started to trickle back to base and the diggers had successfully dug up a big stump. No time for fitness tonight - straight back to base. Tracy was very grateful for our help - she said it would have taken her a week!

Great work team GG!

As usual Goodgym was supporting the first Water Station on the Run for All Yorkshire Marathon and 10 mile (at mile 3). We arrived at 8 for the briefing before spending the net 45mins opening thousands of bottles ready for the runners. The marathon runners started coming through soon after 9:45 with the 10 mile runners from soon after 10:30. Despite getting squirted by some of the faster runners grabbing bottles at speed we didn't let the water dampen our spirits as we handed out water and opened bottles at speed for the next hour and a half. We get cleared up quickly ready for the trucks to collect the waste and tables, rescuing as much water as we could.

Four goodgymers met at the bowls and social club on Saturday afternoon for a quick game of… no, not bowls!

We met Malcolm who explained that the old rock borders were falling apart and needed rebuilding. He asked for our suggestions and we quickly explained that we didn’t actually have any skill, just manpower and enthusiasm.

We split into pairs (because who doesn’t love a bit of friendly competition) and got to work demolishing the old rock borders, shovelling out the soil that had fallen in and then packing in the bottom with a layer of hardcore.

Then came the fun part - pretending we were drystone wall experts and playing jigsaw puzzle with rocks to create beautiful, and sturdy, new rock borders.

There was a lot of discussion, debate and some sharing (or stealing) of rocks but after a swift 30 minutes we had created two beautiful rock borders. As the task leader, I crowned my team ( Jane and I) the winners. No bias there of course.

Then we all headed off inside to check out the ghouly decorations for the children’s party that was to follow and enjoy a delicious slice of home baked cake.